U.S. patent application number 16/606020 was filed with the patent office on 2020-02-06 for ultrasound imaging apparatus.
The applicant listed for this patent is SAMSUNG MEDISON CO., LTD.. Invention is credited to Sim Gwan JEONG, Jong-Moon KIM, Nam Yun KIM, Wan Ki KIM, Dai Un PARK, Kyeong Gu WOO.
Application Number | 20200037988 16/606020 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 64099156 |
Filed Date | 2020-02-06 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200037988 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
KIM; Nam Yun ; et
al. |
February 6, 2020 |
ULTRASOUND IMAGING APPARATUS
Abstract
The present disclosure relates to an ultrasonic imaging
apparatus that has a tolerance for easy assembly and reduces
shaking and noise by reducing the tolerance after assembly. The
ultrasonic imaging apparatus includes a main body, a probe
connected to the main body to irradiate and receive ultrasonic
waves and to transmit the ultrasonic signals to the main body, a
control panel configured to control the main body or the probe, and
a moving device configured to connect the control panel and the
main body and to move the control panel with respect to the main
body in the upward and downward directions, wherein the moving
device includes a housing fixed to the main body, a moving member
configured to be movable with respect to the housing in the upward
and downward directions, and a regulating bearing installed in the
housing and configured to assist the upward and downward movement
of the moving member by coming into rolling contact with the moving
member and to regulate a gap with the moving member.
Inventors: |
KIM; Nam Yun; (Seoul,
KR) ; KIM; Jong-Moon; (Seoul, KR) ; WOO;
Kyeong Gu; (Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do, KR) ; JEONG; Sim
Gwan; (Seoul, KR) ; KIM; Wan Ki; (Seoul,
KR) ; PARK; Dai Un; (Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do,
KR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
SAMSUNG MEDISON CO., LTD. |
Hongcheon-gun, Gangwon-do |
|
KR |
|
|
Family ID: |
64099156 |
Appl. No.: |
16/606020 |
Filed: |
February 6, 2018 |
PCT Filed: |
February 6, 2018 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/KR2018/001591 |
371 Date: |
October 17, 2019 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
62486600 |
Apr 18, 2017 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16F 15/00 20130101;
F16C 29/005 20130101; F16C 31/04 20130101; F16C 2233/00 20130101;
F16C 2316/10 20130101; A61B 8/4405 20130101; F16C 13/006 20130101;
F16C 19/26 20130101; F16C 2370/00 20130101; A61B 8/44 20130101;
A61B 8/462 20130101; A61B 8/00 20130101; F16M 11/28 20130101; F16M
11/42 20130101; F16M 11/10 20130101; F16C 29/043 20130101; F16C
29/048 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A61B 8/00 20060101
A61B008/00; F16C 19/26 20060101 F16C019/26 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 3, 2017 |
KR |
10-2017-0145801 |
Claims
1. An ultrasonic imaging apparatus comprising: a main body; a probe
connected to the main body to irradiate and receive ultrasonic
waves and to transmit the ultrasonic signals to the main body; a
control panel configured to control the main body or the probe; and
a moving device configured to connect the control panel and the
main body and to move the control panel with respect to the main
body in the upward and downward directions, wherein the moving
device includes: a housing fixed to the main body; a moving member
configured to be movable with respect to the housing in the upward
and downward directions; and a regulating bearing installed in the
housing and configured to assist the upward and downward movement
of the moving member by coming into rolling contact with the moving
member and to regulate a gap with the moving member.
2. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the regulating bearing includes a first regulating bearing
configured to regulate a gap with the moving member with respect to
a first direction and a second regulating bearing configured to
regulate a gap with the moving member with respect to a second
direction different from the first direction.
3. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the moving device further includes a regulating member, and the gap
between the regulating bearing and the moving member becomes larger
or smaller according to a rotation direction of the regulating
member.
4. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 3, wherein
the housing includes a through hole provided at a position
corresponding to the regulating bearing, and the regulating member
is inserted into the through hole and the regulating bearing is
configured to move forward or backward according to the direction
of rotation of the regulating member.
5. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 1 wherein
the moving device further includes a fixed bearing installed in the
housing and configured to assist the upward and downward movement
of the moving member with the regulating bearing.
6. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
the moving member includes a contact portion provided on an outer
surface of the moving member to come into contact with the
regulating bearing or the fixed bearing, and the contact portion is
provided to be flat.
7. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 5, wherein
the housing includes a first surface and a second surface that face
to each other, and the regulating bearing is installed on the first
surface and the fixed bearing is installed on the second
surface.
8. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 6, wherein
the contact portion includes a material having higher corrosion
resistance and higher strength than the moving member.
9. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the moving device further includes an auxiliary bearing installed
on the moving member and configured to assist the movement of the
moving member by coming into rolling contact with an inner surface
of the housing.
10. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 9, wherein
the regulating bearing and the auxiliary bearing include a roller
bearing.
11. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 9, wherein
the direction of a reaction force generated when the regulating
bearing comes into contact with the moving member and the direction
of a reaction force generated when the auxiliary bearing comes into
contact with the housing are opposite to each other.
12. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the moving device further includes an upper stopper and a lower
stopper configured to determine an up and down movement range of
the moving member.
13. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 12, wherein
the upper stopper and the lower stopper each include a buffer
member configured to buffer impact and noise when colliding with a
counterpart.
14. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
the moving device further includes a driving member to provide a
driving force so that the moving member moves in an upward
direction, and the driving member includes any one of a gas
cylinder, a gas spring, and an electric hydraulic motor.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present disclosure relates to an ultrasonic imaging
apparatus, and more particularly, to an ultrasonic imaging
apparatus capable of moving a control panel up and down.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] An ultrasonic imaging apparatus is an apparatus that
irradiates an ultrasonic signal from a body surface of a target
toward a target site in the body and obtains an image of a
monolayer or blood flow of soft tissue without invasion by using
information of a reflected ultrasonic signal (ultrasonic echo
signal).
[0003] The ultrasonic imaging apparatus has been widely used for
diagnosis of the heart, abdomen, urinary system and obstetrics
because it is small, inexpensive, real-time displayable, easy to
use, and has a High level of safety because there is no radiation
exposure, compared to other imaging apparatuses such as an X-ray
diagnostic apparatus, an X-ray CT scanner (Computerized Tomography
Scanner), an MRI (Magnetic Resonance Image) and a nuclear medicine
diagnostic apparatus.
[0004] The ultrasonic imaging apparatus includes an ultrasonic
probe for transmitting an ultrasonic signal to a target object to
obtain an ultrasonic image of the target object and receiving an
ultrasonic echo signal reflected from the target object, and a main
body for generating an image of the inside of the target object by
using the ultrasonic echo signal received from the ultrasonic
probe.
[0005] The ultrasonic imaging apparatus may include a control panel
provided for a user to control the ultrasonic imaging apparatus. It
is preferred that the control panel is provided to be movable up
and down according to the height or posture of the user. For the
upward and downward movement of the control panel, the ultrasonic
imaging apparatus may include a control panel vertical moving
device.
[0006] In general, parts having structures fitted to each other
have assembly tolerances for ease of assembly.
[0007] A conventional moving device requires a tolerance for
assembly, as in general assembly structures. The assembly tolerance
is necessary to assemble, but there is a problem that shake and
noise due to the assembly tolerance occurs after assembly is
completed.
[0008] In addition, the conventional moving device uses a structure
such as a rail that requires a separate processing or requires a
precise design, thereby increasing the production cost.
DISCLOSURE
Technical Problem
[0009] The present disclosure is directed to providing an
ultrasonic imaging apparatus with improved user convenience due to
reduced shaking and noise when a control panel is moved up and
down.
[0010] Further, the present disclosure is directed to providing an
ultrasonic imaging apparatus capable of precise movement by
reducing a clearance while having a simple structure.
Technical Solution
[0011] One aspect of the present disclosure provides an ultrasonic
imaging apparatus including a main body, a probe connected to the
main body to irradiate and receive ultrasonic waves and to transmit
the ultrasonic signals to the main body, a control panel configured
to control the main body or the probe, and a moving device
configured to connect the control panel and the main body and to
move the control panel with respect to the main body in the upward
and downward directions, wherein the moving device includes a
housing fixed to the main body, a moving member configured to be
movable with respect to the housing in the upward and downward
directions, and a regulating bearing installed in the housing and
configured to assist the upward and downward movement of the moving
member by coming into rolling contact with the moving member and to
regulate a gap with the moving member.
[0012] The regulating bearing may include a first regulating
bearing configured to regulate a gap with the moving member with
respect to a first direction and a second regulating bearing
configured to regulate a gap with the moving member with respect to
a second direction different from the first direction.
[0013] The moving device may further include a regulating member,
and the gap between the regulating bearing and the moving member
may become larger or smaller according to a rotation direction of
the regulating member.
[0014] The housing may include a through hole provided at a
position corresponding to the regulating bearing, and the
regulating member may be inserted into the through hole and the
regulating bearing may be configured to move forward or backward
according to the direction of rotation of the regulating
member.
[0015] The moving device may further include a fixed bearing
installed in the housing and configured to assist the upward and
downward movement of the moving member with the regulating
bearing.
[0016] The moving member may include a contact portion provided on
an outer surface of the moving member to come into contact with the
regulating bearing or the fixed bearing, and the contact portion
may be provided to be flat.
[0017] The housing may include a first surface and a second surface
that face to each other, and the regulating bearing may be
installed on the first surface and the fixed bearing may be
installed on the second surface.
[0018] The contact portion may include a material having higher
corrosion resistance and higher strength than the moving
member.
[0019] The moving device may further include an auxiliary bearing
installed on the moving member and configured to assist the
movement of the moving member by coming into rolling contact with
an inner surface of the housing.
[0020] The regulating bearing and the auxiliary bearing may include
a roller bearing.
[0021] The direction of a reaction force generated when the
regulating bearing comes into contact with the moving member and
the direction of a reaction force generated when the auxiliary
bearing comes into contact with the housing may be opposite to each
other.
[0022] The moving device may further include an upper stopper and a
lower stopper configured to determine an up and down movement range
of the moving member.
[0023] The upper stopper and the lower stopper each may include a
buffer member configured to buffer impact and noise when colliding
with a counterpart.
[0024] The moving device may further include a driving member to
provide a driving force so that the moving member moves in an
upward direction, and the driving member may include any one of a
gas cylinder, a gas spring, and an electric hydraulic motor.
[0025] Another aspect of the present disclosure provides an
ultrasonic imaging apparatus including a moving device configured
to connect a control panel and a main body and to move the control
panel in the upward and downward directions, wherein the moving
device includes a housing, a moving member configured to be movable
with respect to the housing in the upward and downward directions,
a regulating bearing installed in the housing and configured to
come into rolling contact with an outer surface of the moving
member and to regulate a gap with the moving member, and an
auxiliary bearing installed on the moving member and configured to
come into rolling contact with an inner surface of the housing.
[0026] The moving device may include at least two of the regulating
bearings to regulate a gap with the moving member with respect to a
first direction and a gap with the moving member with respect to a
second direction different from the first direction. The moving
device may further include a regulating member, and the gap between
the regulating bearing and the moving member may become larger or
smaller according to a rotation direction of the regulating
member.
[0027] The moving member may include a contact portion provided on
the outer surface of the moving member to come into contact with
the regulating bearing, and the contact portion may be provided to
be flat.
[0028] The contact portion may include a material having higher
corrosion resistance and higher strength than the moving
member.
[0029] The regulating bearing and the auxiliary bearing may include
a roller bearing.
Advantageous Effects
[0030] The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to the present
disclosure can improve user convenience by reducing shaking and
noise when a control panel moves up and down.
[0031] Further, the ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to the
present disclosure can precisely move by reducing a clearance while
having a simple structure.
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ultrasonic imaging
apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0033] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a moving device separated
from the ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of
the present disclosure.
[0034] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the moving device
illustrated in FIG.
[0035] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the moving device
illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0036] FIGS. 5 and 6 are enlarged views of a portion A of FIG.
4.
[0037] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a regulating bearing and a
regulating member in the ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to
an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0038] FIGS. 8 and 9 are cross-sectional views of the regulating
bearing and the regulating member illustrated in FIG. 7 and
illustrate the operation of the regulating bearing.
[0039] FIG. 10 is a view illustrating the moving device when a
moving member moves downward to the maximum in the ultrasonic
imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure.
[0040] FIG. 11 is a view illustrating the moving device when the
moving member moves upward to the maximum in the ultrasonic imaging
apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0041] FIG. 12 is a plan view of a moving device separated from an
ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to another embodiment of the
present disclosure.
MODE OF THE INVENTION
[0042] Hereinafter an ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to
embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail
with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0043] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an ultrasonic imaging
apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 1, an ultrasonic imaging apparatus 1
according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a
main body 2, an ultrasonic probe 3, a controller 7, and a display
member 8. The display member 8 may include a main display 80 and an
auxiliary display 81.
[0045] The display member 8 may display an ultrasonic image
obtained in an ultrasonic diagnostic process. In addition, the
display member 8 may display an application related to the
operation of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus 1. For example, the
main display 80 may display ultrasonic images obtained in an
ultrasonic diagnostic process, and the auxiliary display 81 may
display matters related to the operation of the ultrasonic imaging
apparatus 1.
[0046] The main display 80 or the auxiliary display 81 may be
implemented as a cathode ray tube (CRT) or a liquid crystal display
(LCD). The main display 80 or the auxiliary display 81 may be
coupled to the main body 2 or may be separated from the main body
2.
[0047] The ultrasonic imaging apparatus 1 may further include a
moving unit 9. The moving unit 9 may connect the main body 2 and
the display member 8. The moving unit 9 may be configured to allow
the display member 8 to be moved from the main body 2. By means of
the moving unit 9, the display member 8 may be disposed in a state
of being spaced apart from the main body 2.
[0048] The main body 2 may be provided with the controller 7. The
controller 7 may be provided in the form of a keyboard, a button, a
dial, a foot switch, or a foot pedal. In a case where the
controller 7 is a keyboard, the controller 7 may be provided at an
upper portion of the main body 2. In a case where the controller 7
is a foot switch or a foot pedal, the controller 7 may be provided
at a lower portion of the main body 2. An inspector may control the
operation of the ultrasonic imaging apparatus 1 through the
controller 7.
[0049] The controller 7 may be provided by having a keyboard, a
button, a dial, and the like on a control panel 70. The control
panel 70 may be mounted to the main body 2. A handle 71 may be
provided on one side of the control panel 70. A user may move the
ultrasonic imaging apparatus 1 by holding the handle 71 and
applying a force.
[0050] The ultrasonic probe 3 may be connected to the main body 2
by a connection member 5. The connection member 5 includes a cable
50 and a connector 51. The ultrasonic probe 3 may be provided on
one side of the cable 50 and the connector 51 may be provided on
the other side of the cable 50. The connector 51 may be detachably
mounted on a connection portion 20 provided on the main body 2.
Accordingly, the ultrasonic probe 3 may be connected to the main
body 2.
[0051] A rest portion 4 may be provided on one side of the
ultrasonic imaging apparatus 1 so that the ultrasonic probe 3 may
be rested in the main body 2. When the ultrasonic imaging apparatus
1 is not used, the inspector may put and store the ultrasonic probe
3 in the rest portion 4. As an example, the rest portion 4 may be
provided on the control panel 70 in the form of a hole through
which a handle portion of the ultrasonic probe 3 may penetrate. The
ultrasonic probe 3 may be rested in the panel 70 by being inserting
into the hole formed on the control panel 70. As another example,
the rest portion 4 may be provided in the form of a holder mounted
on the main body 2. The ultrasonic probe 3 may be inserted into and
rested in the holder.
[0052] The main body 2 may be provided with a handle 21 and the
handle 71 on a from side and a rear side thereof so that the user
may move the ultrasonic imaging apparatus 1. The handles 21 and 71
may include the first handle 71 provided on the front side of the
main body 2 and the second handle 21 provided on the rear side of
the main body 2. The first handle 71 may be provided on one side of
the control panel 7. The second handle 21 may be provided to
protrude from the rear of the main body 2.
[0053] The main body 2 may be provided with a plurality of casters
22 and 23 for moving the ultrasonic imaging apparatus 1. The
casters 22 and 23 may be aligned so as to cause the main body 2 to
travel in a specific direction (alignment movement mode), may be
arranged so as to cause the main body 2 to freely move (free
movement mode), or may be locked so as to cause the main body 2 to
stop at a specific position (stop mode).
[0054] The casters 22 and 23 may include the first casters 22 and
the second casters 23. When the direction in which the controller 7
and the display member 8 are positioned is referred to as the front
and the direction opposite thereto is referred to as the rear, the
first casters 22 may be positioned on the front side of the main
body 2, and the second casters 23 may be positioned on the rear
side of the main body 2. The first casters 22 may be provided on
both the left and right sides of the front side of the main body 2,
respectively. The second casters 23 may be provided on both the
left and right sides of the rear side of the main body 2,
respectively, so as to correspond to the first casters 22.
[0055] The main body 2 may be provided with an operation member 25
capable of controlling the first and second casters 22. The
operation member 25 may be provided in the form of a foot pedal as
illustrated in FIG. 1, or may be provided in the form of a button,
a dial, or the like. The user may grasp the first handle 71 and
move or stop the ultrasonic imaging apparatus 1 after pressing and
operating the foot pedal 25 with the foot.
[0056] Although not specifically illustrated in FIG. 1, the
ultrasonic imaging apparatus 1 according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure includes a moving device 100 provided to move
the control panel 70 in the upward and downward directions.
[0057] Hereinafter the moving device 100 according to an embodiment
of the present disclosure will be described in detail.
[0058] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a moving device separated
from the ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of
the present disclosure, and FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view
of the moving device illustrated in FIG. 2.
[0059] As illustrated in FIG. 2, the moving device 100 may include
a housing 110 fixed to the main body 2, a moving member 120
provided to be movable with respect to the housing 110 in the
upward and downward directions, and a regulating bearing 130
installed in the housing 110 to come into rolling contact with an
outer surface of the moving member 120.
[0060] The housing 110 is configured to be fixed to the main body 2
and may accommodate the moving member 120 therein. The regulating
bearing 130 may be provided at an upper portion of the housing
110.
[0061] At least a portion of the moving member 120 may be disposed
inside the housing 110, and the moving member 120 may be provided
to be movable with respect to the housing 110 in the upward and
downward directions. The control panel 70 may be coupled to an
upper portion of the moving member 120 to be moved in the upward
and downward directions as the moving member 120 moves.
[0062] According to the spirit of the present disclosure, the
moving device 100 may include at least two of the regulating
bearings 130. The reason why the moving device 100 includes two or
more of the regulating bearings 130 is to regulate clearances with
the moving member 120 with respect to two directions perpendicular
to each other. Detailed explanation thereof will be described
later.
[0063] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the
moving device 100 may include a first regulating bearing 130a and a
second regulating bearing 130b.
[0064] The housing 110 may include a front surface 110a, a rear
surface 110b, and opposite side surfaces 110c and 110d. An
inserting space into which the moving member 120 may be inserted
may be formed inside four of the surfaces 110a, 110b, 110c, and
110d.
[0065] The first regulating bearing 130a may be installed on the
side surface 110c. The second regulating bearing 130b may be
installed on the front surface 110a. The side surface 110c and the
front surface 110a on which the first regulating bearing 130a and
the second regulating bearing 130b are installed, respectively, may
be provided to be perpendicular to each other. Accordingly, a
clearance with the moving member 120 with respect to a first
direction may be regulated through the first regulating bearing
130a, and a clearance with the moving member 120 with respect to a
second direction perpendicular to the first direction may be
regulated through the second regulating bearing 130b. However, as
will be described later, three or more of the regulating bearings
130 may be provided. In this case, the first direction and the
second direction may not be perpendicular to each other.
[0066] According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the
moving device 100 may include the regulating bearing 130 and a
fixed bearing 140 for assisting the up and down movement of the
moving member 120 with the regulating bearing 130.
[0067] The fixed bearing 140 may be provided basically similar to
the regulating bearing 130. However, the fixed bearing 140, unlike
the regulating bearing 130, does not have a function of regulating
the distance with the moving member 120 by moving forward or
backward. This is because only two of the regulating bearings 130
may regulate the spacing for two axes that are perpendicular to
each other.
[0068] The fixed bearing 140 and the regulating bearing 130 may be
disposed to face each other. For example, the first regulating
bearing 130a may be installed on the side surface 110c of the
housing 110 and the fixed bearing 140 may be installed on the other
side surface 110d of the housing 110. FIG. 3 illustrates that the
regulating bearing 130 and the fixed bearing 140 are disposed to
face each other, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto.
The first regulating bearing 130a may be installed at one side of
the side surface 110c and the fixed bearing 140 may be installed at
one side of the other side surface 110d so as not to face the first
regulating bearing 130a.
[0069] Likewise, the second regulating bearing 130b may be
installed on the front surface 110a of the housing 110 and the
fixed bearing 140 may be installed on the rear surface 110b of the
housing 110.
[0070] However, the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The
fixed bearing 140 is not an essential configuration, and the
regulating bearing 130 may be installed instead of the fixed
bearing 140. Accordingly, the moving device 100 may include four of
the regulating bearings 130 installed on four of the surfaces of
the housing 110, respectively.
[0071] The moving member 120 may be inserted into the inside of the
housing 110. The moving member 120 may move in the upward and
downward directions by coining into rolling contact with the
regulating bearing 130 and the fixed bearing 140.
[0072] The moving member 120 may include a contact portion 121 in
an area coming into contact with the regulating bearing 130 and the
fixed bearing 140.
[0073] The contact portion 121 may be provided to be flat so that
the regulating bearing 130 and the fixed bearing 140 may be in
surface contact. In addition, the contact portion 121 may be formed
of a material different from the moving member 120 so as not to be
easily worn or deformed by the contact with the regulating bearing
130 or the fixed bearing 140. To this end, the contact portion 121
may be formed of a stronger and harder material than the moving
member 120. In addition, because the moving member 120 may be
exposed to the outside according to the up and down movement, it is
appropriate that the contact portion 121 is formed of a material
having a high corrosion resistance.
[0074] An auxiliary bearing 150 may be provided at a lower portion
of the moving member 120 to come into rolling contact with an inner
surface of the housing 110.
[0075] The auxiliary bearing 150, the regulating bearing 130 and
the fixed bearing 140 may be provided as roller bearings.
Accordingly, the bearings 130, 140, and 150 of the present
disclosure have a much greater load bearing capability compared to
the ball bearings, and thus may stably support the moving member
120 and the housing 110.
[0076] As in the case of the regulating bearing 130 and the fixed
bearing 140, four of the auxiliary bearings 150 may be provided.
Although there is no particular limitation on the number of the
auxiliary bearings 150, it is appropriate that four of bearings are
provided to come into rolling contact with respect to four of the
surfaces 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d of the housing 110,
respectively.
[0077] A first stopper 122 may be provided on the outer surface of
the moving member 120. A buffer member 123 may be disposed on an
upper surface of the first stopper 122 to buffer impact and noise
when colliding with a counterpart. For example, the buffer member
123 may be formed of a rubber material.
[0078] The housing 110 may be provided in a form in which an upper
surface and a lower surface thereof are open. A housing cover 111
may be provided to cover the open lower surface of the housing 110.
The housing cover 111 may include a second stopper 112 for
determining the lowest position of the moving member 120 and for
buffering impact and noise when colliding with the moving member
120. The second stopper 112 may be formed of the same material as
the buffer member 123. Therefore, the second stopper 112 may be
formed of a rubber material.
[0079] A driving member 160 may be provided inside the moving
member 120. The driving member 160 may provide a driving force to
the moving member 120 when the moving member 120 moves up and down.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, the driving
member 160 may be provided as a gas cylinder. Alternatively, the
driving member 160 may include a gas spring and an electric
hydraulic motor.
[0080] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the moving device
illustrated in FIG. 2, and FIGS. 5 and 6 are enlarged views of a
portion A of FIG. 4.
[0081] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the regulating bearing 130 may be
provided to come into rolling contact with the contact portion 121
provided on the outer surface of the moving member 120. Likewise,
the fixed bearing 140 may be provided to come into rolling contact
with the contact portion 121. With this configuration, the moving
member 120 may move up and down relatively with respect to the
housing 110.
[0082] The moving member 120 may be difficult to stably move with
respect to the housing 110 only by supporting the moving member 120
by the contact of the regulating bearing 130 and the fixed bearing
140 with the outer surface of the moving member 120. Therefore,
according to the spirit of the present disclosure, the auxiliary
bearing 150 may be provided the lower portion of the moving member
120 to come into rolling contact with the inner surface of the
housing 110.
[0083] With this configuration, the regulating bearing 130 or the
fixed bearing 140 and the auxiliary bearing 150 may provide
reaction forces in opposite directions with respect to the moving
member 120 and the housing 110, respectively. As illustrated in
FIG. 4, the regulating bearing 130 or the fixed bearing 140 exerts
a reaction force in a direction F1 toward the moving member 120,
and the auxiliary bearing 150 exerts a reaction force in a
direction F2, which is opposite to the direction F1, toward the
housing 110. Because the housing 110 and the moving member 120 are
supported by reaction forces in opposite directions, the moving
member 120 may be stably supported within the housing 110.
[0084] Hereinafter a method of regulating a clearance of the
regulating bearing according to the spirit of the present
disclosure will be described in detail.
[0085] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the regulating bearing 130 and the
contact portion 121 may be maintained in a non-contact state. That
is, there may be a clearance g between the regulating bearing 130
and the contact portion 121. This clearance is a tolerance
necessary for assembling the moving member 120 into the housing
110, and is necessary because when there is no tolerance or the
tolerance is too small, the moving member 120 may not be inserted
into the housing 110.
[0086] After the moving member 120 is inserted into the housing
110, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the regulating bearing 130 and the
contact portion 121 may be maintained in contact with each other.
That is, the clearance between the moving member 120 and the
regulating bearing 130 may be minimized. In this case, a gap s is
generated between the regulating bearing 130 and the housing 110.
The gap s is the maximum movement distance that the regulating
bearing 130 may move forward or backward, and the maximum tolerance
that the regulating bearing 130 may provide when the moving member
120 and the housing 110 are assembled.
[0087] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a regulating bearing and a
regulating member in the ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to
an embodiment of the present disclosure, and FIGS. 8 and 9 are
cross-sectional views of the regulating bearing and the regulating
member illustrated in FIG. 7 and illustrate the operation of the
regulating bearing.
[0088] As illustrated in FIG. 7, the regulating bearing 130 may
include a rolling portion 131 provided to rotate by the contact
with the moving member 120, a shaft 132 penetrating through the
rolling portion 131 to be a rotation axis of the rolling portion
131, shaft holes 132a (refer to FIG. 8) formed on opposite ends of
the shaft 132, a fastening portion 133 inserted into each of the
shaft holes 132a to fix the shaft 132 to the housing 110, and a
regulating member 134 for moving the position of the regulating
bearing 130.
[0089] As illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, when the regulating member
134 does not come into contact with the shaft 132, the shaft 132
may move forward or backward within the range of the gap s. This is
because the shaft hole 132a is slightly larger than the fastening
portion 133 inserted into the shaft hole 132a, so that a clearance
is generated by the gap s which is a difference value between the
inner diameter of the shaft hole 132a and the outer diameter of the
fastening portion 133. When the shaft 132 is movable, a maximum
tolerance corresponding to the gap s exists between the moving
member 120 and the housing 110, and thus the moving member 120 may
be easily assembled to the housing 110.
[0090] As illustrated in FIG. 9, in order to minimize the clearance
between the moving member 120 and the housing 110, the regulating
member 134 may be moved toward the shaft 132. The regulating member
134 may be moved toward the shaft 132 until the rolling portion 131
comes into contact with the contact portion 121, that is, the
clearance is minimized. The user may regulate the clearance between
the moving member 120 and the regulating bearing 130 by adjusting
the position of the regulating member 134.
[0091] The regulating member 134 may be a screw coupled to a
through hole (not shown) provided in the housing 110 by rotation.
In this case, threads may be formed on an inner circumferential
surface of the through hole. However, the type of the regulating
member 134 is not limited, and may include a configuration capable
of moving forward or backward by various methods such as
rotation.
[0092] FIG. 10 is a view illustrating the moving device when a
moving member moves downward to the maximum in the ultrasonic
imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the present
disclosure, and FIG. 11 is a view illustrating the moving device
when the moving member moves upward to the maximum in the
ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to an embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0093] As illustrated in FIG. 10, when the moving member 120 is at
the lowest position, a lower surface of the moving member 120 may
come into contact with the second stopper 112. In other words, when
the lower surface of the moving member 120 comes into contact with
the second stopper 112, the moving member 120 may no longer move
downward. That is, the second stopper 112 determines the lowest
position of the moving member 120. The second stopper 112 may be
disposed on one side of the housing cover 111. The second stopper
112 may be formed of a rubber material in order to buffer the
impact and noise generated when the moving member 120 descends at a
high speed and contacts the second stopper 112.
[0094] As illustrated in FIG. 11, when the moving member 120 is at
the highest position, the first stopper 122 provided on the side
surface of the moving member 120 may come into contact with a
bracket 113 mounted on the housing 110. In other words, when the
first stopper 122 comes into contact with the bracket 113, the
moving member 120 may no longer move upward. That is, the first
stopper 122 and the bracket 113 determine the highest position of
the moving member 120.
[0095] More specifically, the bracket 113 may include a flat
portion 113a provided to come into contact with the first stopper
122. When the moving member 120 moves upward and the first stopper
122 comes into contact with the flat portion 113a, the upward
movement of the moving member 120 is limited.
[0096] The buffer member 123 may be provided on an upper surface of
the first stopper 122 in order to buffer the impact and noise
generated when the moving member 120 ascends at a high speed and
contacts the first stopper 122. The buffer member 123 may be formed
of a rubber material or various materials capable of absorbing
impact and noise.
[0097] Although not shown in the drawings, according to the spirit
of the present disclosure, the regulating bearing 130, the fixed
bearing 140 and the auxiliary bearing 150 may be provided as pinion
gears. In this case, the contact portion 121 may be provided as a
rack gear corresponding to the pinion gear. In contrast, the
regulating bearing 130, the fixed bearing 140 and the auxiliary
bearing 150 may be provided as the rack gears, and the contact
portion 121 may be provided as the pinion gear.
[0098] FIG. 12 is a plan view of a moving device separated from an
ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to another embodiment of the
present disclosure.
[0099] As illustrated in FIG. 12, a housing 210 may include three
of regulating bearings. That is, the regulating bearings may
include a first regulating bearing 230a, a second regulating
bearing 230b, and a third regulating bearing 230c.
[0100] The first regulating bearing 230a may regulate a clearance
with a moving member (not shown) with respect to a first direction,
the second regulating bearing 230b may regulate a clearance with
the moving member with respect to a second direction different from
the first direction, and the third regulating bearing 230c may
regulate a clearance with the moving member with respect to a third
direction different from the first direction and the second
direction.
[0101] As illustrated in FIG. 12, when three of the regulating
bearings are provided, the first regulating bearing 230a, the
second regulating bearing 230b, and the third regulating bearing
230c may be arranged at intervals of 120 degrees. However, the
present disclosure is not limited thereto, and the angle between
the plurality of regulating bearings may vary according to design
specifications, and the number of regulating bearings may also be
greater than three.
[0102] Modifications or variations are possible within the scope of
equivalents and/or within the skill or knowledge of the art. The
described embodiments illustrate the best state for implementing
the technical idea of the present disclosure, and various
modifications required in the specific application field and use of
the present disclosure are possible. Therefore, the detailed
description of the present disclosure is not intended to limit the
invention to the disclosed embodiments. Also, the appended claims
should be construed to include other embodiments.
* * * * *